S B 



Bulletin No. 10. 



Agros. 27. 



U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 

DIVISION OF AGROSTOLOGY. 

[drnf^N uikI Voi-aig^c Plant Iiir<-Ntii;ntioiiM.] 



A REPORT 



n-civ iiiK 



GRASSES AND FORAGE PLANTS 

CENTEAT. TEXAS. 

IT. T^. BKiSTTLEY, 

S2}ecinl .ttji-nf hi Chari/e of drasi h'jpirimeiils at Ahilene, Tex. 
PREI'AKEll VNDEU TMK lUIiECTIoX Ol' TUK AGEOSTOLOGIST. 




WASHINGTON: 

GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE. 

1898. 




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Digitized by the Internet Arciiive 
in 2010 with funding from 
The Library of Congress 



http://www.archive.org/details/reportupongrasseOObent 



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Bulletin No. 10. Agros. 27. 

U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 

DIVISION OF AGROSTOLOGY. 
[Orass ami Forage JPIant TiiveMtigationN.] 



A REPORT 



UPON THE 



Duplicate. 

GRASSES AND FORAGE PLANTS 






CENTRAL TEXAS. 



BY 



n/l3^ BENTLEIY, 

o 

Special Agent in Charge of Gt-ass Experiments at Abilene, Tex. 



PREPARED UNDER THE DIRECTION OF THE AGROSTOLOGIST. 




WASHINGTON: 

GOVERNlilENT PRINTING OFFICE. 
1898. 

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By transfer 
..A;^ 81 1908 






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LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL 



IT. S. Department of Agrioultuee, 

Division of Agrostology, 
Washington, D. C, March 3, 1898. 
Sir: I have the honor to transmit herewith for publication, as Bul- 
letin No. 10 of this division, a report by Mr. H. L. Bentley, special 
agent in the Division, upon the grasses and forage plants of central 
Texas. This report contains brief accounts of the physical character 
of central Texas; the early and present condition of the ranges; and 
popular descriptions, and general observations upon the distribution 
and economic importance of a large number of the grasses and forage 
plants native to the region. From this report stockmen and others 
will gain some idea of the extent and value of the natural forage 
resources of the country, and it will, without doubt, awaken an interest 
in the preservation and improvement of the forage supplies. 
Eespectfully, 

F. Lamson-Scribner, 

Agrostologist. 
Hon. James Wilson, 

Secretary of Agriculture. 

3 



CONTENTS. 



Page. 

The cattle ranges and tlieir deterioration 7 

Purpose of report - 7 

Physical character of the country 7 

Early condition of the ranges 8 

Speculation and overstocking 9 

HoV the stock ranges may be renewed 10 

Need of hay and other forage 10 

Native grasses and forage plants recommended for i^ropagation 11 

Grasses 11 

Forage plants not grasses 20 

Grasses and forage plants of prohable value •- 25 

Common grasses of little forage value 28 

5 



Illustrations. 



Fig. 1. Feather Blue-stem {Andropogon saccliaroides torreyanus) 12 

2. Bine Grama (Bouteloua oligostachya) 13 

3. Everlasting Grass (Eriochloa punctata) 14 

4. Curly Mesquite (HiJaria cencliroides) 15 

5. Barnyard Grass {Panicum crus-galli) 17 

6. Colorado Grass {Panicum texanum) 18 

7. "Wild Bean {Phaseolus helrolus) 22 

8. Buffalo Grass (Bunilis dactyloides) 24 

9. Knot Grass {Paspalum distichum) 27 

10. Tumble Weed {Amaranthus blitoides) 30 

11. Ground Plum {Astragalus crassicarpus) 31 

12. Alfilaria {Erbdium cieutanum) 33 

13. Prickly Pear ( Opuntia engdmanni) 35 

14. Mesquite Beau {Prosopis juliflora) 36 



A REPORT UPON THE GRASSES AND FORAGE 
PLANTS OF CENTRAL TEXAS. 



THE CATTLE RANGES AND THEIR DETERIORATION. 
PURPOSE OP REPORT. 

The purpose of this report is to iuvite the attention of stockmen and 
farmers to the mistakes made iu the past in dealing with native grasses 
and forage plants, and to offer suggestions for their future guidance. 

Central Texas may he considered a typical stock section. The 
problems here j)resented are identical with those of other regions 
where overstocking and insufficient care of the natural growth of 
grasses and forage plants have led to the impoverishment of the 
ranges. The natural herbage of the Southwestern plains and prairies 
was once as varied and as rich as could be found anywhere. The 
wild grasses could not be excelled either for hay or pasturage. They 
are still to be found scattered over the region, not in as great profu- 
sion and abundance as in the days when the cattlemen first drove their 
herds into that magnificent pasture, but enough of them are there 
to make it possible by intelligent management to produce something 
like the former conditions. 

PHYSICAL CHARACTER OF THE COUNTRY. 

The central Texas of this report includes all the counties of Stone- 
wall, Haskell, Throckmorton, Fisher, Jones, Shackelford, Nolan, Tay- 
lor, Callahan, Runnels, Coleman, Tom Grreen, Concho, McCulloch, and 
parts of the counties of Kent, Scurry, Mitchell, Coke, San Saba, Brown, 
Eastland, Stephens, and Young. It embraces a territory about 100 
miles wide, east and west, and about 200 miles long, north and south. 

The characteristics common to these counties are : An open prairie 
country with some black-jack, post-oak, and live-oak timber on the 
uplands and ridges; a scattering growth of mesquite on the lands away 
from the streams, which, together with the timber on the streams, sup- 
plies ample firewood and posts for fencing purposes ; numerous streams 
that furnish an abundance of water, fringed along their banks with 
groves of pecan, elm, hackberry, wild china, cottonwood, and other 
trees; an altitude ranging from 1,500 to 1,900 feet above sea level; an 
annual rainfall of from 20 to 34 inches, the average being about 27 

7 



inches, so distributed through the year that it means sufficient for range 
puri)oses, but periodically not sufficient for the best results in fanning; 
a range of temperature from 90° to 102° down to 7° F. ; a rich alluvial 
soil in most of the valleys, while on the uplands there are loams, gen- 
erally containing a large admixture of calcareous marls. The soils 
vary in color from a light gray or yellow, through all the intermediate 
colors — chocolate, mulatto, red, and brown — to black, all productive 
and susceptible of high cultivation, and especially rich in the elements 
necessary for the i^roduction of the cereals and grasses. There is a 
great variety of native forage plants and grasses, comj^rising species 
that appear in succession from February to November. 

In Stonewall, Nolan, Mitchell, McCulloch, Coke, San Saba, and 
Taylor counties the topography presents a greater diversity than in 
the others. In Taylor County there are considerable elevations, a 
mountain range extending through it from southeast to northwest, the 
highest point being 519 feet above the surrounding plains. In Throck- 
morton, Stephens, Shackelford, Callahan, Eunnels, Coleman, and Tom 
Green counties there are broken areas. In the other ten counties, 
where there are neither mountains nor hills, the general surface is 
gently undulating. 

Under the direction of the Agrostologist of the United States Depart- 
ment of Agriculture, portions of this section were visited by the writer 
during August, September, and October (1897), and collections of 
grasses made, notes being taken relative to the forage plants, native 
and domesticated, that have given promise of future value. These 
observations, owing to the limited time in which they were made, do 
not cover all the counties named, but it is probable that nearly every 
grass noted may be found in each of the counties, and the statements 
regarding them will doubtless apply to the entire region. 

EARLY CONDITION OF THE RANGES. 

The natural meadows of this section when the first cattlemen took 
possession were excellent. It was an ideal pasture land. The streams 
were full the year round, and the absence of heavy dews or long-con- 
tinued wet spells in autumn caused the abundant growth of grasses to 
ripen and cure on their own roots into hay of the best quality, available 
through all the winter months. There was shelter from storms in the 
timber along the streams. The prairie dogs and jack rabbits were 
kept in check by their natural enemies. The rapid spread of weedy 
shrubs and cactus was prevented by the annual tires that swept the 
country. 

No attempt at systematic settlement was made until the building of 
the Texas and Pacific Railroad in 1883, Before that time there was no 
one to assert any special claim to any particular lands. True, nearly 
all belonged to private individuals, railroad companies, counties, or 
to some of the State trust funds, but none of the legal owners were 



9 

on the ground in person. There was nothing to prevent the cowmen 
from appropriating the range, arbitrarily laying off their range bound- 
aries, and claimiug them under their so called "range rights." The 
first cowman who entered a given section established his headquarters 
in some favored spot and claimed, under his range rights, everything 
in sight. When the next cowman moved in, the two together divided 
the range and each kept his herd on his own side of the boundary line 
agreed upon between them. As others came, the range was further 
subdivided until it was all fully occupied. Absolute good faith was 
maintained, each recognizing the range rights of the other. There was 
no need for one to crowd the other, for there was xslenty, and to spare, 
for all. They each and all recognized that with "free grass" the road 
to wealth was an easy and certain one. 

SPECULATION AND OVERSTOCKING. 

With the entrance of the railroad into this pastoral region the 
owners of the lands under consideration, or their agents, began to appear 
with a view to looking up their properties. Then it was that the cow- 
miBn began to realize that they could not longer depend on free grass. 
The result was natural, indeed inevitable. Every man was seized with 
a desire to make the most of his opportunities wliile they lasted. 
Whereas there had i^reviously been no rent to pay and only a minimum 
of taxes, each one saw that this situation could not last. In consequence 
every man who had a "range right" went into the market to buy cows 
to eat as much of the grass as possible before he should be dispos- 
sessed of his free holding. Soon there were more buyers than sellers. 
Prices went up and a fever of speculation ensued. Eange rights, herds 
of cattle, and flocks of shee]) changed hands at fabulous prices. Men 
of every rank were eager to go into the "cow business." In a short 
time every acre of free grass was stocked beyond its fullest capacity. 
Thousands of cattle or sheep were crowded on the ranges where half 
the number was too many. The grasses were entirely consumed; their 
very roots were trampled into dust and destroyed. In their eagerness 
to get something for nothing speculators did not hesitate at the i^erma- 
nent injury, if not total ruin, of the finest grazing country in America. 

From that day to the present but little intelligent effort has been 
made to improve the pastures and again cover them with the rich vege- 
tation which the soil is capable of supporting. It is not yet too late to 
remedy the evil, but no time is to be lost. There is need in the first 
place of the enactment of more beneficent lease laws to govern the use 
of county and State lands. Permanency of tenure is essential, for it is 
only through such a condition that stockmen can be made to see that 
it is to their own interest to improve the carrying capacity of the range. 
There must be intelligent and concerted effort, and it can not be expected 
that stockmen will be different from other men if they decline to make 
such effort at range improvement when the results of their toil and 



10 

forethought are to be enjoyed by others. They are all alike, grass 
destroyers, so long as it is not to their own immediate interest to be 
grass preservers. Stockmen have been reckless in this direction, farmers 
have been their allies. The latter still wage a war of extermination on 
the grasses growing in and about their fields. In his eftbrt to make 
room for more cheap cotton the farmer ruthlessly breaks the sod that if 
properly treated and cared for as pasture would yield him far better 
returns. 

HOW THE STOCK RANGES MAY BE RENEWED. 

In considering the question of how the ranges may be renewed, the 
ideas and opinions of the leading stockmen of this section have been 
solicited. They vary from that of giving the grasses absolute rest 
until the ground has been reseeded with the best native varieties, to 
that of partially breaking the sod and seeding down the land to sor- 
ghum, Johnson grass, or the best of the tame hay grasses. 

If the natural j)astures are to be once more brought up to their origi- 
nal condition certain iDrecautions must be taken. There must be no 
more overstocking of the range. On the contrary, as far as practicable, 
the land must be systematically rested. Some of the leading stockmen 
are now dividing up their holdings into several pastures, one being held 
exclusively for winter use, another for spring, another for midsummer 
or autumn. This practice will, in the case of the winter pasture, enable 
the early grasses to ripen and shed their seeds. To be successful there 
should be rotation in the seasonal use of these pastures. Thus a pas- 
ture which is grazed closely during winter for three or four successive 
years should then be grazed only in summer for a like term, in order 
that the late-maturing grasses, which would naturally be the ones eaten 
during the winter, may have an opportunity to reseed themselves and 
regain their former abundance. By this system of rotation the carry- 
ing capacity of the i^astures may be doubled or trebled in the course of 
a few years. 

NEED OF HAY AND OTHER FORAGE. 

It will be necessary also to provide hay and forage, which may be 
used during storms or in case of unusually severe winters, or in years 
when through drought or other causes the natural herbage is less than 
the normal. The range grasses, even when abundant, may be so injured 
by such unusual occurrences as heavy autumn rains as to be worthless 
as food for stock. During the severe winters thousands of cattle and 
sheep often die from starvation. Five per cent of their value invested 
in hay or other feed and kept available for use during winter storms 
would not only have saved their lives, but have brought them through 
the season in growing and healthy condition. Vast quantities of hay 
could a few years ago be secured anywhere for the cost of cutting and 
curing. With a renewed range this condition may be again attained, 
and even if the wild hay can not be depended on or can not be secured 



11 

a sufficient crop of sorghum, Kaffir corn, or some of the coarser culti- 
vated hay grasses should be planted to supply feed in times of scarcity. 
Hay meadows formed of native grasses are greatly needed. These 
native grasses have in the past shown all the best qualities of hay 
grasses elsewhere, and they do not require any experimental work to 
determine their adaptability to soil and climate or their general value. 
More than a third of all the grasses in the United States grow within 
the confines of the state of Texas, and the establishment of natural 
hay meadows of the wild grasses and forage plants is bound to prove 
successful and profitable. The first question to be determined is, which 
are the best for hay and which for grazing. Stockmen can do this work 
on their own ranches and settle the question for themselves. They 
can prepare and seed down lands with the best grasses and save hay 
every year for winter use, thereby adding largely to the capacity of 
their pastures for carrjnng stock. As soon as dependence is placed 
on hay or fodder the pastures are bound to improve, because stock fed 
a part of every year will need less pasture grass, and the pastures 
being allowed this periodic rest will more rapidly attain their best 
development. 

NATIVE GRASSES AND FORAGE PLANTS RECOMMENDED FOR 

PROPAGATION. 

In a consideration of the different native grasses and forage plants it 
has not been possible to inspect the ranges in all the counties, but those 
here discussed may be taken to fairly represent the entire section. Of 
the many varieties found, the following, from personal observation and 
from the accounts given by ranchmen and farmers, appear to be the 
most valuable : 

GRASSES. 

Western Wheat-grass {Agropyron spicatum) is a blue-stem which 
is rather wiry. It is from 20 to 30 inches high, and grows luxuxiantly 
all over central Texas. While it will not.produce as much hay to the 
acre as some other species, stockmen value it highly for its nutritive 
qualities. It withstands the droughts to which the section is period- 
ically subject, and is to be found not only on the uplands, but also in 
the low moist meadows. It is also known in the Northwest as Colorado 
Blue- stem. 

Feather Sedge or Feather Blue-stem {Andropogon saccharoides 
torreyanus) (fig. 1) grows in all of the counties of central Texas. It has 
a feathery looking "seed head" and a blue stem, grows from 2 to 3^ 
feet tall, and ripens an abundance of seed in September. When cured 
it is soft to the touch and is much relished by cattle. This is a com- 
mon grass on the dry prairies and mesas from Kansas to Texas west- 
ward to Arizona and southward into Mexico. 



12 



Bushy Blue-stem {Andropogon nutans)^ a very tall, cane-like grass, 
growing principally in rocky places, thoagk it is also on the open 
prairies. It will produce good hay in large quantities. 

Side-oats Grama {Bouteloua curtipendula), one of the best native 
grasses in central Texas, is highly regarded by stockmen. It was 
splendidly seeded in September when examined on the range. It 
grows equally well on the uplands and lowlands, in fallow ground and in 
the pastures. Cattle are very fond of it both before and after it ripens 
seed. It produces a great many seeds that do not shatter out readily, 

and, as it grows from 18 inches 
to 3 feet tall and makes a large 
quantity of fodder, soft when 
cured, it is an excellent hay 
grass. It is common through- 
out the prairie region and on 
the iDlains extending eastward 
to Pennsylvania. 

Black G-rama {Bouteloua 
Mrsuta). — Black grama is not 
as common throughout central 
Texas as stockmen would like 
to have it. It is not a hay grass, 
as it does not often grow tall 
enough for the mower, but it is 
certainly one of the best grasses 
for grazing purposes. In ap- 
pearance it closely resembles 
the blue grama {Bouteloua oli- 
gostachya), which is one of the 
most common of the native 
grasses of the "benches'' of 
Montana. Several stockmen of 
Mitchell and Taylor counties 
state that this black grama is 
"taking the prairie" rapidly, 
more of it being seen in 1897 
than in former years. 
Blue G-rama {Bouteloua oligostachya) (fig. 2). — Very similar in 
most respects to the black grama, about the ouly difference noticeable 
by the unscientific observer being the lighter color of its " seed heads." 
It grows throughout all the cattle-raising States west of the Missis- 
sipi>i and is very common in Montana and Colorado, where it is known 
as Buffalo-grass. In central Texas it is regarded with much favor by 
stockmen. As it grows well on the high arid plains and bench lands 
and also on the lower and damper i)asture lands, and is both a hay and 
a pasture gTass, too high an estimate can not be put on it for stock pur- 
poses. It is said that "it far exceeds, in general opinion, the true 




Fio. 1.— Feather Blue-stem. 



13 



buffalo grass {Bulbilis dactyloides), which has gained much of its credit, 
at the expense of Bouteloua, the two being often confused by farmers 
and ranchmen." 

Rescue Grass or Arctic G-rass {Bromus unioloides).— An excellent 
winter-pasture grass, but not widely distributed in this section. The 
specimen forwarded for identification was found in Nolan County, in 
September. At that time its seeds had shattered out badly, and its 
leaves were not green, nor was there much of it. Stockmen say, how- 
ever, that earlier in the sea- 
son it was to be found in fair 
quantities in Mitchell, Nolan, 
and Taylor counties. It has 
been reported from some of 
the other counties of central 
Texas, where it is valued 
both as a pasture and as a 
hay grass. 

Arizona Millet ( Chwtochloa 
macrostachya). — A tall, rather 
coarse upland grass. It is a 
valuable hay grass because of 
its habit of growth, producing 
an abundance of "fodder and 
seed. It is one of the most 
common grasses of this section 
of Texas. 

Bermuda [Gynodon dacty- 
lon). — Probably not a native, 
but now so common in every 
part of this section that it is 
regarded as one of its dis- 
tinctive grasses. It grows 
about the windmills where 
it is freely watered tall enough 
to be cut for hay. For graz- 
ing purposes it is doubtful 
if any other grass will furnish 
more or better pasturage. If 

stockmen, instead of confining the propagation of it to their yards and 
lawns, would put down extensive fields of it, they would be amply 
repaid for the labor and expense. One stockman who has a 10-acre 
pasture well sodded with Bermuda grass says that he kept more than 
a dozen calves and 4 head of horses on it month after month, and that 
he frequently permitted as many as 10 extra horses to run on it 
several days in succession, and that he never thought he had over- 
stocked it. In the cities of central Texas it is being used to improve 
the footpaths and lawns. Stockmen and farmers in the country are 




Pig. 2.— Blue Grama. 



14 



using it to advantage to strengthen their dams and the banks of their 
water tanks. 

Wild Rye {Elymus canadensis) grows in nearly every neighborhood. 
It is to be found occasionally on the uplands, but is more common in 
the valleys. Stockmen say that, when it is young and green, stock of 
all kinds is fond of it. They think it will make good hay. It is one of 
the most promising of the native hay grasses. 

Everlasting Grass {JErio- 
chloa punctata) (fig. 3). — This 
grass was found in Shackel- 
ford County in a stubble field, 
where stock were eating it 
greedily. This was in Sep- 
tember, but a month later it 
was found in several other 
localities on the benches and 
in the valleys. A well- 
informed stockman of Tay- 
lor County says that it is a 
good x^asture grass when it 
first greens out in the spring, 
affords good pasturage all 
through the summer months, 
and in autumn, when pro- 
tected from stock, will furnish 
in abundance a good quality 
of hay. In the times when 
Fort Griffin, iu Shackelford 
County, was occupied as a 
United States Government 
post, this grass was a main 
reliance of the troops for hay. 
At that time it grew all over 
that vicinity from 2 to 4 feet 
high, and, as large sections 
were covered with it to the 
practical exclusion of other 
grasses, it was not difficult to secure hay in large quantities. Now, how- 
ever, it is rarely to be found in quantities sufficient or under conditions 
suitable for hay purposes — another instance of the reckless manner in 
which the range in all central Texas has been abused. In the valley of 
the Clear Fork, a few miles below Fort Griffin, this grass was seen 
growing luxuriantly in a field where no stock was allowed, showing by 
its strong growth what it will do under favorable conditions. Farmers 
and stockmen should cultivate it with special reference to its high value 
as a hay grass. 




Fig. 3.— Everlasting Grass. 



15 



Curly Mesquite {Rilaria cencliroides) (fig. 4). — Too rnucTi can not 
be said in praise of this superior pasture grass. Fortunately for stock- 
men, it is found in all the counties of central Texas and is about the 
most abundant, as it certainly is one of the most valuable, of all the 
native grasses. It has a peculiar habit of creeping over the ground 
and rooting at the joints of the stems, from which spring leafy 
branches that in their turn reach out for other places in which to take 
root. In protected localities it greeus out very early in the spring, 
makes a thick mat of leafy turf 
during the summer, matures on 
its roots, and in the fall and win- 
ter, when not rotted by late rains, 
alfords excellent pasturage for 
all classes of stock. No grass 
stands the long dry spells to 
which the section is periodically 
subject better than the curly 
mesquite. As it does not grow 
tall, sheep, horses, and even hogs 
are especially fond of it, and cat- 
tle prefer it to almost any other 
grass. In very dry weather it 
dries up and appears to be dead, 
but in a few hours after a warm 
rain it becomes green to the end 
of its smallest leaf blade and stem. 
When matured on its roots, it is 
very much better feed than at 
any other time, and stock will not 
only live but fatten on it without 
grain. It is doubtful if acre for 
acre it will support as many head 
of stock, year in and year out, 
as Bermuda grass, but it will 
stand drought better, and for 
general range purposes is cer- 




FiG. 4. — Curly Mesquite. 



tainly superior. When lands are sodded down to it and it is given the 
advantage of irrigation even by sprinkling, as is done in the case of 
Bermuda, it makes as attractive looking turf as the latter, especially 
when closely cut by the lawn mower. Some of the central Texas 
stockmen are sodding down small pastures, from 5 to 20 acres, with 
it, to be used as calf lots and for j^asturing the ranch horses used 
about headquarters. They report that such pastures in a good year 
will support one head of stock per acre. It grows well on any but 
alkali soils, on uplands and lowlands, out in the open or in the shade. 
In Jones County there is a small pasture well sodded within which 



16 

mesquite trees of uuusually large growth stand so close together that a 
wagon can with great difficulty be taken througli. In this f»asture 
the curly mesquite grows in the early summer quite tall enough to be 
cut with a mowing machine. Under very favorable conditions it could 
perhaps be developed into a good hay grass, but it is primarily and x)re- 
eminently a pasture grass. A Callahan County stockman, finding that 
there were many naked spots in his pasture, took the roots of the curly 
mesquite and with an ordinary garden hoe put them in the ground, 
scattering them over such spots from 3 to 4 feet apart. This was in 
the early spring. By the following autumn they had rooted and sent 
out their creeping stems to take root, and had covered the bare places. 
This was a case of making two blades of grass grow where none grew 
before, and suggests a practical way for the renewal of all the inuch- 
abused pastures in and out of central Texas. On plowed land this 
grass will spread very rapidly, soon forming a fine turf. It will pay 
farmers and stockmen to make the experiment of growing it on plowed 
land. 

Wild Timothy {Muhlenhergia racemosa). — Of all the native hay 
grasses of central Texas, this is one of the most valuable. It does not 
occur except in moist soils, but there it grows luxuriantly. A speci- 
men collected near Abilene measured 4 feet 7 inches in height, and it is 
often seen over 5 feet tall. It is slender and erect, its stems soft even 
when cured, with an abundance of leafage that does not fall from the 
stems, many seeds that do not droj) readily, and short but numerous 
creeping root-stalks. A farmer on whose place a lot of this was grow- 
ing informed me that the only grass of the many varieties growing- 
together on the place preferred by his cattle over this wild timothy was 
the wild oats ( Uniola latifolia). An acre of good moist land seeded 
down to wild timothy ought to produce in a fair season 2 to 2^ tons of 
hay equal to the best growu in any country. 

White To-p {Triodia albescens) \s, another excellent hay grass. It 
has a very soft stem with an abundance of leaves, and in September 
was splendidly seeded. It is found principally in the lowlands, where 
it grows from 18 to 20 inches tall; and also on the uplands, even in 
sandy and rocky places. In Taylor County, near Lytle Lake, it grows 
luxuriantly, but only there in places where it has the benefit of subirri- 
gation. It will doubtless prove a valuable grass for hay purposes when 
in cultivation, as stock are very fond of it. 

Galleta or Black Grama {Rilaria mutiea). — Up to a few years since 
this grass was not growing in any considerable quantities in the south- 
ern or eastern counties, although in the northern and western counties 
it constituted a large portion of the jiasturage. K^ow, however, it has 
established itself in all the sections, and stockmen report more of it this 
year in Taylor, Callahan^ Eastland, and Kunnels counties than was 
ever seen before. It is an important grass on the Staked Plains. In 
Mitchell County it grows as well on the highest as on the lowest pas- 



17 



tures. Immediately on the line of the Texas and Pacific Eailroad, in 
the latter county, is the latan Vallej^, aud a few years ago there were 
several thousand acres of this grass growing there, practically to the 
exclusion of other sorts. The stiff red clay soil seemed peculiarly fitted 
for its growth. Stockmen in that vicinity were in the habit of cutting- 
it every year ; it made an excellent quality of hay, much valued by 
the livery-stable men of Colorado City and Big Springs. It was in 
fact preferred to the baled hay shipped from other sections of Texas. 
Now comparatively little of 
this grass is available for hay 
purposes. It is recognized by 
all stockmen as being a valu- 
able pasture grass. 

Alkali Saccaton {Panicum 
bulbosum). — There is but little 
of this grass in central Texas 
and stockmen do not know 
much about it. Farmers re- 
port thatitonly recently made 
its appearance in cultivated 
fields. It will prove a valua- 
ble hay grass, though it is 
light for its bulk when cured. 
The specimens gathered grew 
on a valley farm in Eastland 
County. 

Barnyard Grass {Panicum 
crus-galU) (fig. 5). — The local 
naaies for this are goose grass 
and sour grass. It grows best 
in moist soils, in the prairie 
and Southern States, but until 
about 1893 was unknown in 
central Texas, so far as re- 
ported. That year it made 
its appearance in several of 
the counties, and was sup- 
posed by farmers to be Colorado grass {Panicum texanum). It is found 
only in cultivated fields, or in the immediate vicinity of barnyard build- 
ings. It grows iu bunches from two to fouvr feet high, makes a great 
deal of fodder and seeds, and when cured is soft to the touch. Cattle 
eat it with evident relish. It has a great many small roots that spread 
out near the surface of the ground. One farmer referring to it said: 
"It is easy to rid a field of it, as it can be kicked out of the ground roots 
and all, or easily knocked out with the back of a hoe." Specimens 
were collected in Jones, Taylor, Eastland, Nolan, and Shackelford coun- 
ties. Under cultivation it will doubtless prove to be a great hay grass. 
15886— No. 10 2 




Fig. 5. — Barnyard Grass. 



18 



Beardless Barnyard Grass {Panicum erns-galli mnticum) grows 
best in wet lands from Louisiana to southern California and as far 
north as the Dakotas. It is similar in appearance to the common barn- 
yard grass, having about the same habit growth, about the only differ- 
ence being its beardless " seed-heads." Farmers who are familiar with 
it regard it as a promising hay grass for wet meadows. 

Cotton-top {Panicum lachnanthum) is found in cultivated fields and 
grows from 16 to 32 inches tall. Its appearance indicates that it is a good 
hay grass. It has an upright habit, an abundance of leaves, soft stems, 

and many seeds that do not 
drop readily. It is rather light 
in weight considering its bulk, 
but stock seems to relish it 
when cured. It was not found 
growing in pastures, being 
entirely eaten out by cattle. 

Chaparral Millet (Panicum 
revercJioni) grows on the high- 
lands, in pastures, and in cul- 
tivated fields. Although not 
a tall grass and producing but 
little fodder, its stems are soft 
when green, not harsh nor stiff 
when cured, and it ripens an 
abundance of seed. It is an 
excellent pasture grass that 
stands the dry weather well, 
and as such is especially 
valued by stockmen. If culti- 
vated it might develop into a 
good hay grass. 

Hurrah Grass [Panicum 
reticulatum) occurs only in cul- 
tivated fields or along the 
roadsides. It is not well known 
either among the stockmen or 
farmers. A farmer in whose 
field it occurred says that he has been observing it several years and 
esteems it highly. Cattle and horses relish it dry or green, and it is 
a promising hay grass. It would doubtless show a large yield under 
proper cultivation because of its abundant leaves and soft stems. It 
seeds freely in September, but the seeds quickly shatter. 

Colorado Grass or Concho Grass {Fanicum texanum) (fig. 6). — It is 
doubtful whether this can properly be classed as a native of central 
Texas, though there are many farmers, especially in Tom (ireeu, 
Concho, Kuunels, Coleman, and Brown counties, who insist that they 




Fk;. 6. — Colorado Grass. 



19 

have Lad it iu tlieir fields, a native growth, for a great many years. 
It is now common throughout this section in cultivated fields. It does 
not ordinarily make its appearance until such field crops as Indian corn 
are about ready to be "laid by." Then it covers the ground, and by 
the time the corn is ready to be gathered it is nearly ready to be cut. 
Farmers here are beginning to "lay by" their corn with special refer- 
ence to this grass. That is to say, when they plow it the last time they 
leave the ground as smooth as possible without furrows. Later they 
cut the corn, leaving as little of the stalk as practicable, so that the 
grass may be mowed, thus securing a hay crop hardly less valuable 
than the corn. In an oat field of about 7 acres the Colorado grass 
grew 18 to 24 inches tall and yielded a fraction under 2 tons of hay 
per acre besides the grain. All classes of stock relish it and it is 
very nutritious, but left too long it dries out and sheds both its leaves 
and seed. It was first observed many years ago growing in the valleys 
of the Colorado River in Travis County, where the farmers regarded 
it as the best of all their hay grasses. It is a grass that does not 
have a weedy habit, and land can easily be freed from it in one season 
by following with cotton, but few farmers care to get rid of it under 
any circumstances. 

Switch Grass {Fanicum virgatnni) grows iu low places, on the banks 
of creeks, near tanks and pools, or in valleys where there is moisture. 
It is also reported from the moist uplands. Stock eats it, especially 
when it is young, and after it matures they eat the seed heads and pick 
off the leaves. The great abundance of the latter is a marked charac- 
teristic of this grass. Sj)ecimens were secured at the Seven Wells, in 
Mitchell County, which measured fully 7 feet tall. In a pool near Baird, 
in Callahan County, it was growing fully 6 feet in close compact 
bunches. After the grass is seeded the stems are rather coarse and 
harsh, and stock no longer relish them. If cut before it gets too old it 
makes a hay of fair quality. 

Water G-rass {Paspalum puMfiorum glahrum) is a strong growing 
perennial which ought to make a good hay grass. It was noted only 
in the valleys, but a well-informed farmer of Eastland County, on whose 
place the grass occurs, reports that it also grows fairly well on the 
uplands. It is found in most of the counties of central Texas. It 
often grows 4 feet high, and as it produces a great abundance of soft 
leaves it is regarded as a superior grass. MeadoiW lands seeded down 
to it would undoubtedly produce in favorable seasons quite as much 
hay as an equal acreage of alfalfa or Colorado grass. 

Texas Crovr-foot [Leptochloa dubia). — An excellent grass found in 
ISTolan County. It is worthy of being cultivated. Farmers in other 
counties to whom the Nolan County specimens were shown say that 
they have it growing on their farms, respectively in Taylor, Jones, and 
Eunnels counties. It is a promising hay grass. 

Drop Seed {Sporoholus cryptandrus). — Found in several localities, 



20 

but always in moist soils. Specimens were collected on the shores of 
Lytle Lake, in Taylor County, near the Seven Wells, in Mitchell County, 
on the Clear Fork of the Brazos, in both Jones and Shackleford coun- 
ties, and on the Sweetwater, in Nolan County. It ripens but few seeds. 
The leaf blades are narrow but abundant. It is a bunch grass, a single 
clump sometimes being 12 inches in diameter. Stockmen report that 
all classes of cattle eat this grass with evident relish, especially before 
flowering and in the winter when it is cured. 

There are a great many other grasses that have value either for hay 
or pasture purposes, or both, but those above enumerated are believed 
to be the most meritorious of those native of central Texas. 

FORAGE PLANTS NOT GRASSES. 

Stoiley Vetch [Vicia leavemvorthii) is a forage plant of decided 
value. It appears very early in the spring, and bears pods filled with 
small peas. It is eaten by stock in the spring and early summer. As 
late as September fair specimens of it were collected, but not in condi- 
tion to be eaten by stock. The peas had shattered out and much of 
the foliage had fallen from the stems. It is to be found in most of the 
pastures in this section, and is known locally by a variety of names. 
One farmer claimed to recognize it as the Butterfly pea that grew iu 
his native State of Georgia, but the vetch has the twining habit of a 
vine while the pea grows erect. A stockman who has held stock in 
Arizona and IsTew Mexico says that a similar vetch grows there and is 
known as the Bufl'alo pea, while a farmer from Louisiana says it resem- 
bles the Partridge pea. Several parties near Putnam, in Callahan 
County, experimented with this pea last year with satisfactory results. 
They report that it blooms from March to the middle of May and that 
the peas ripen while it is still blooming, after the habit of the English 
garden pea. A county official of Callahan County says that several 
years ago in February he saw this pea in full bloom about Aledo, iu 
Parker County, where it grows wild in great abundance. 

Tallow Weed {Actinella linearifoUa). — Every sheep raiser in all the 
stock counties of Texas knows the habits and valne of this remarkable 
forage plant. It is not a very common growth, but occurs iu almost 
every one of the counties in this section of Texas. It has somewhat 
the form of young lettuce when it first appears. Later it puts out a 
yellow blossom that fills the air with its rich perfume. Still later it 
forms a seed head resembling somewhat that of a yellow clover. It 
flowers in the early spring and is ready i'or all kinds of stock in advance 
of any other weed or grass. Some of the accounts given by enthusiastic 
stockmen as to its merits are almost too wonderful to be fully credited. 
For instance, one who has a ranch on the Clear Fork of the lirazos, iu 
Jones County, says that a few years ago, when a hard, wet winter had 
followed on the heels of a very dry summer, the little grass that was 
available rotted before Christmas, and, having laid up no hay, grain, or 



21 

other winter feed for his stock, he was gravely apprehensive that he 
would lose a great mauy of them before the early spring weeds and 
grasses would appear; but his range, it seems, was well seeded with 
the tallow weed, which continued to grow all the winter, and not only 
kept his stock alive but fattened them. He declares that when the 
sj)ring opened he had beef steers fat enough to be put on the market, 
fattened entirely on this plant. A sheep raiser of Tom Green County, 
in 1892, had his sheep on a ranch that was in both Tom Green and 
Crockett counties. During the earl 3^ winter of that year his ranch on 
the Concho River, in Tom Green County, where he was then holding 
his sheep, was overflowed and he lost all the hay and grain he had laid 
up as winter feed for his stock. The roads from his ranch to the rail- 
road were impassable on account of the frequent and heavy rains. 
Practically all the grass on his Concho Eiver ranch was rotted bj^ the 
rains. By midwinter his sheep were so thin that it looked as though 
most of them would die from starvation before spring. Earlj^ in Janu- 
ary he started his sheei) to this Tom Green and Crockett County ranch. 
He found there, early in January, quite a large proportion of this range 
covered with tallow weed just beginning to bloom. Up to that time he 
had no knowledge of its habits and value, but as his sheep ate it with 
evident relish; as there was nothing else for them he permitted them 
to eat their fill of it. In a short time they showed signs of improve- 
ment and by the first of March, when the weed was in full bloom, they 
were in satisfactory condition. Naturally this rancher is a firm believer 
in the tallow weed, which, according to him, "will i3ut more tallow on 
the kidneys of any kind of stock than the same bulk of any other forage 
plant that ever grew in any country under the sun." So far as known 
the tallow weed has never been cultivated in this section, and as it 
rarely grows very tall on the range no effort has been made to cut it 
for hay. In a cultivated field it will grow tall enough to be cut for hay 
which will be equal to the best. No chemical analysis of tallow weed 
has been made, but a forage plant that will, while green, fatten sheep 
and cattle, without other feed, in the winter and early spring must when 
properly cured prove very nutritious. 

Fall Tallow Weed {Amhlyolepis setif/era). — Found in October grow- 
ing luxuriantly, protected by a .brush fence, on a ranch about 5 miles 
north of Abilene. When within 200 yards of the spot where it was 
growing the familiar, rich, pungent, thoroughly agreeable perfume 
characteristic of the true tallow weed {Actinella linearifolia) could be 
recognized. That found as above stated was growing much after the 
habit of the clovers. It promises to be a superior hay producer, and 
may be recommended for cultivation by farmers and stockmen. 

Careless "W eed {Atri^Jlex ohovattim) grows anywhere and every where 
all over central Texas. It often grows in soils too strong with alkali for 
grasses. While not stating authoritatively that it prefers alkali soils, 
yet it does thrive under such conditions, and the suggestion is ventured 



22 



that it may have a special mission AYorthy the consider ation of stockineu 
and farmers — to reclaim alkali lands. It grows tall enough to be cut, 
and both its leaves and small twigs are eaten by stock. I know of no 
instance where stock have had to depend upon it entirely for food, but 
as a rule they know what is nutritious, so that it is quite probable that 
the "Careless TVeed'' has a special value as a forage plant. A reliable 
sheepuiau of Concho County says that sheep eat it greedily. It pro- 
duces enormous quantities of seed, and every year reseeds the land 
where it grows. A Mitchell County sheepman thinks that sheej) eat 
it because of its tonic XDroperties. It has a bitter priucijole that suggests 
such an idea. On the liigh plains of ISTevada and Utah, and in Arizona 
and New Mexico a similar species {A. lialmeri) furnishes a considerable 

part of the winter forage for 
both cattle and sheep. Cat- 
tlemen who have held cattle 
on the range in Arizona say 
that a salt bush, sweet sage 
[A. canescens), very similar to 
this in many respects, is a 
principal reliance in that sec- 
tion for all classes of stock. 
Beggar "Weed {Desmodium 
panicuJatum). — There is some' 
prejudice in the minds of 
many persons against this ex- 
cellent forage plant because 
of the fact that its seeds have 
away of fastening themselves 
to one's clothes. But this is 
only an incident that ought 
not to be considered in de- 
ciding upon its value for for- 
age. The fact is, horses, cattle, and sheep are all fond of it. It thrives 
best in low and moist soils, but it is also to be found on the uplands. 
The specimens collected grew in a rich, moist, sandy loam. Tlie stems 
are rather inclined to be woody, but when growing thickly, as fre- 
quently happens in this section, the entire bush is easily convertible 
into hay. As a renovator of wornout soils or as a green manure no 
better nor cheaper fertilizer can be used than to turn under the rank 
growth of the beggar weed. The tap root descends deeply into the 
soil, bringing up mineral fertilizers from the subsoil which can be util- 
ized by other crops. As it makes an excellent quality and a great 
abundance of feed for stock, it is recommended that farmers and stock- 
men familiarize themselves with the habits and general good <iualities 
of this beggar weed. 

Wild Bean [Phaseolus helvoln.s) (fig. 7) is found on low moist lands 
throughout central Texas. The vines are frequently seen clinging to 




Fin. 7.- Wild Bean. 



23 

tall trees aud growing- up to tlieir very tops. One such vine i-u East- 
land County measured nearly 50 feet in length. This bean furnishes 
a large quantity of fodder that is eaten by cattle and sheep. It is a 
perennial with slender stems, and if properly cultivated will prove 
a very valuable addition to the forage plants of this section. It grows 
best in woodland copses along the banks of streams or in low moist 
valleys where it finds tall aud strong weeds or grasses upon which to 
cling. 

Needle G-rass or Dog-to-wn Grass [Aristida fasciculata). — There 
is an impression which obtains among other than cattlemen that this 
grass is a nuisance rather than an advantage to the range. But a 
careful investigation demonstrates that it is one of the most valuable, 
all things considered, of the pasture grasses found in this section. It 
is true that the needle-like seeds when ripe render the grass in some 
respects objectionable. For instance, they attach themselves to the 
wool of sheep, work their way through it to the bodies, and inflict 
on them ugly wounds that not only cause serious inconvenience, but 
sometimes result in real injury to the animals. Especially is this the 
case with lambs. Again, no class of stock seems to relish the grass 
while the needles are still attached. Cattle eat it at such times when 
forced to do so because of tlie scarcity of other grasses, but some- 
times the needles pierce their tongues aud otherwise wound their 
mouths. However, the damage done to cattle and sheep in this way 
has undoubtedly been greatly exaggerated. On the other hand the 
good qualities of the grass have been greatly underestimated. It is 
one of the most common pasture grasses in this section. It is less sub- 
ject thau any other to the destructive tendencies of prairie dogs. 
Owing to the peculiar beards on the seeds, this grass reseeds itself 
after all other grasses have been destroyed by the dogs near their holes. 
The seeds, when shed from the stems, are blown over the ground, fasten 
themselves to the earth, aud work themselves down into it. As they 
are blown about over the range they fasten themselves to bare sj)ots, 
which are the result of many different causes, and so renew them. It 
has been suggested by some stockmen that a very good way to speedily 
renew all our ranges would be to run furrows from east to west at 
short intervals through them. These furrows would catch the drifting 
seeds of this and other grasses as they are blown along by the prevail- 
ing south winds. The seeds would readily attach themselves to the 
loose soil of these furrows. This would assist the natural tendency of 
the ranges to renew themselves. But, aside from these considerations, 
this grass has another special value. It is oue of the first of all the 
range grasses to become green in early spring. It affords good feed to 
all classes of stock while the grass is young and before the seeds 
become stiff and troublesome. That it possesses very nutritious quali- 
ties no one familiar with it will deny. Indeed, some of the best informed 
stockmen of this section say that they regard it, when stock can eat it 



24 



safely, as being quite as fattening as the cnrly mesquite. After tlie 
seeds are shed there is no better grass on the range. It has the habit 
of the curly mesquite of curing on the roots. No matter how dry it 
may look to be, after a warm rain it will green out to the end of its 
blades and stems. Some say that horses and cattle will not eat it after 
it has shed its seed and has dried out. This, however, is a mistake. 
To satisfy himself on this point the writer has been on the range with 
a view especially to ascertain the fact, and has seen cattle, horses, 
and mules all eating it greedily under such conditions. One of the best 
informed stockmen of central Texas, when asked his ojHnion on the value 

of this grass, said: "It is about 
the earliest of all our pasture 
grasses; it is as nutritious as 
the best; stock eat it before the 
seeds become harsh and after 
they are separated from the 
stems; and it contributes more 
than any other grass to the an- 
nual renewal of the range. It is 
a main reliance with the cow 
men throughout this section. I 
regard it as one of the most 
valuable grasses for general pur- 
l)osesthat we have." 

Buffalo G-rass {BulhiUs dac- 
tyloides) (tig. 8). — It is more than 
probable that stockmen fre- 
quently mistake this grass for 
the different varieties of grama. 
It is a very common grass 
throughout central Texas, which 
is not the case with the gramas. 
Certainly in this sectionit is 
more valuable than the others, 
since it furnishes very much 
more stock feed than any, or indeed all, of the gramas put together. 
There are many who perhaps esteem the buffalo grass more highly than it 
deserves; but there are more who do not give to it the credit to which 
it is really entitled. A range well seeded down to it, with curly mes- 
quite and needle grass, is an ideal stock range so far as the grasses are 
concerned ; and it is a very common thing in all this section to find 
just this combination. The greater the variety of pasture grasses the 
better the range for practical purposes, but stockmen in this section 
would not willingly exchange these three for any other mixture. 




Fig. 8,— Buflalo Grass. 



25 

GRASSES AND FORAGE PLANTS OF PROBABLE VALUE. 

In addition to the above 34 varieties of grasses and forage plants, 
the following are worthy of being carefully studied by farmers and 
stockmen : 

Bur G-rass {Genchrns trihuloides). — This is another grass that is 
much abused, even by well-informed stockmen, on account of its pecu- 
liar thorny bur-like seeds, and because in cultivated fields it is a bad 
weed. It is pretty well distributed throughout the United States, east 
and west. In this section it has a real value tbat more than offsets its 
disadvantages. That is to say, it withstands dry weather better than 
many of the other grasses found here. A great deal of it was seen in 
September on a range in Mitchell County. Every pasture grass except 
those in the moist valleys was looking dry and cured except bur grass. 
The latter was as green as a young wheat field, and loaded down with 
seed. In traveling over this section, in September and October, when- 
ever one notices an especially green spot on the range it may safely be 
assumed, without examination, to be the bur grass. After it has 
shed its seed it is relished by all classes of stock, and stockmen, while 
finding much fault with the seed, agree that it is very nutritious. It 
is also valuable when young or before the bur-like seed is formed. 

Wild Millet ( Ghaetochloaitalica) is found as a weed in cultivated land, 
in Nolan, Taylor, and Eastland counties. It grows, under such condi- 
tions, to be from 18 to 30 inches tall, seeds freely and produces a fair 
amount of fodder. It has the appearance of being a good hay grass. 
Its growth as a weed indicates somewhat the adaptability of millet 
and Hungarian grass to these central Texas soils. 

Sedges {Gyperus and Garex species). — These are not true grasses, 
technically considered, but are so regarded by stockmen in this 
section. They are distributed over a wide extent of country, and 
while occurring chiefly in the low and moist valleys, there are some 
that grow well on the uplands and even among the rocks. Stockmen 
do not as a rule value the sedges highly for pasturage, because while 
they become green in early spring and stock eat them until the seeds 
commence to form, they do not supply a lasting forage. By tbat time 
other and better grasses abound, and stock do not then care for them, 
and will not eat them if they can get anything else. 

Bog rushes {Juncus species). — These also are not true grasses, 
although from their grass-like habit they are so regarded by stockmen. 
The most common sort grows on high and rocky places. They pro- 
duce many seeds that do not drop readily, and the stems are slender, 
but rather harsh, and produce little fodder. An intelligent farmer 
says that these rushes are eaten by cattle, and possibly some of them 
are of value as low- ground forage plants, as are the sedges. 

Satin G-rass {MuMenhergia tenuijlora) was first found in Eastland 
County, but it has since then been reported from several other counties 
of this section. While not common, it is here in sufficient quantities to 



26 

entitle it to consideration. There is mucn difference of opinion among 
farmers as to its merits. It is not met with except on farms, growing- 
near streams. Stockmen who are not also farmers do not appear to 
know anything about it. It produces an abundance of foliage and soft 
stems, and ought to make good hay. Specimens from Eastland County 
were nearly 3 feet high. After being fully cured it is soft, has a rich 
smell, and seems in many respects equal to the best native grasses of 
this section. It has slender, erect stems, long, narrow leaves, strong 
roots that take firm hold in the earth, and few seed (in September). If 
cultivated it might prove to be a fairly good hay grass. 

Grapevine Mesquite [Panicum ohtusum) grows in most of the coun- 
ties of central Texas. It has long, creeping, jointed stems that root 
wherever they touch the ground, scanty leafage and that rather harsh, 
and a fair quantity of seed that clings well to the stems. It grows in this 
section from 18 to 24 inches high. There were no indications of its 
having been eaten by stock, although an observing farmer says : "They 
do eat it when they can't get anything better." Mixed with other and 
softer grasses it will perhaps prove of some value. 

Crab Grass [Panicum sanguinale). — It is scarcely necessary to dis- 
cuss this well-known grass, for whether a native of this section or not, 
it is here in great quantities and is a pest or a blessing according to 
the point of view from which it is considered. Growing in cultivated 
fields it is not very troublesome until corn and other field crops are 
about to be " laid by," when it asserts itself vigorously. Once it gets 
a foothold in a field it soon occupies every foot of the ground. This is 
the unfavorable view to be taken of it. On the other hand it furnishes 
a great abundance of excellent pasturage for all classes of stock. That 
it is nutritious can not be seriously questioned. Excepting on soils 
where it is not desirable for stock to run after field crops are g-athered, 
this grass is valuable, adding largely to the capacity of farms to sup- 
port the cattle. One class of farmers here insist that it is an unmiti- 
gated pest. Others say that while they would not deliberately intro- 
duce it on their farms, they are satisfied to have it remain. A few have 
expressed themselves as j)referring it, one of these stating that both 
for pasturage and hay purposes a field well seeded to crab grass was, 
in his opinion, worth more year after year than the value of any other 
crop that could be grown. On the whole, it may be regarded as an 
excellent hay grass primarily, and incidentally as a good pasture grass. 

Knot GraSiS {Pasixdum disUchnm.) (fig. 9) has a local name that, in 
a sense, very aptly describes it, " Eternity grass." A farmer on whose 
ground this grass was growing luxuriantly, when asked why it was so 
called, pointed out a stem of it and invited the writer to trace it back to 
the original root. He followed it through a dense matting of other 
stems fully 20 feet and gave it up. The farmer suggested that it be 
traced the other way, and again he failed after following it in the other 
direction about 20 feet. The farmer then explained: "Eternity is 



27 



defiued as 'without beginning and without end 5' if this grass has any- 
beginning or any ending it is difllicnlt to determine it." It grows in 
low, moist places, especially where periodically flooded. Owing to its 
creeping habit, it is not easily cut and hence is not available for hay 
purposes. One farmer gravely stated that stock would not eat it. Later 
the writer visited his pasture where the knot grass grew luxuriantly. 
The grass was abundant, and while there were many varieties of rich 
grasses all around, his horses and cattle were hunting for and eating 
every little sprig of it that they could find. This conclusively demon- 
strated that knot grass is valuable and 
worthy of consideration by stockmen. 
The creeping stems often measure 20 
to 30 feet or more. 

Wild Oats ( Uniola latifolia) is an 
ornamental as well as a very valuable 
forage grass. It was seen only in one 
place in Eastland County, where it Lad 
made a luxuriant growth along the 
banks of small streams. Under the 
shade of the trees it stood from 30 to 
48 inches high, and in September it 
was as green as a wheat field in spring, 
with every stem loaded with seed. The 
farmer at whose place it was found, in 
order to prove that it j)ossesses special 
value, led a Jersey bull that he had 
tethered on crab grass near by, and 
turned him out where this wild oats 
was growing. The bull ate it greedily. 
Judging from appearances it ought to 
be a very valuable hay grass. 

Prairie Sage Brush {Artemisia lu- 
doviciana) is a showy forage plant 
which grows throughout this section. 
It may not have any very decided value 
for stock imrposes, though stockmen 
say that cattle eat it. A sheep raiser 
says that sheep are fond of it and fat- 
ten on it. A Mitchell County farmer 
says that it grows well in alkali soils where little else will thrive. It 
is probable that it can be utilized with other plants for the purpose of 
reclaiming such lands. 

Butterfly Pea ( Clitoria mariana) was seen in several counties in this 
section. It has a light purple blossom and forms a pod that fills with 
peas nearly as large as the small garden pea. It grows upright and 
stands erect. When cut and cured it makes a soft and rich hay that is 




Fig. 9.— Knot Grass. 



28 

eaten by cattle and other stock. It grows principally in low, moist soils 
and on the banks of streams. A farmer in Eastlaud County says that 
some years his meadows were covered with it, and that a field planted 
to it and cultivated would yield several tons of good forage per acre. 
He thinks it will not withstand the long dry spells to which this section 
is periodically subject. 

Bushy Knotweed {Polygonum ramosissinmm) first attracted the 
writer's attention because of its enormous x^roduction of seed. Bushes of 
it found in pastures appeared to have been grazed. Cattle are fond of it 
when it is young and sheep will eat it whenever and wherever they can 
get it. It flourishes under many and varied conditions on high and 
low lands, in rich or poor soils, and withstands drought well, A stock- 
man who has been much in Montana and other iSTorthwestern States 
says that this or a similar weed grows there and furnishes nutritious 
forage throughout the summer and early autumn months. It is an 
annual, growing here from 15 to 30 inches high, according to the soil. 
A Callahan County farmer says that when mixed in with the hay- 
grasses of the section it adds to the value of the hay, as its seeds are 
rich in fattening properties. He furthermore says that when cured its 
stems are very stiff, and only the seed and leaves are relished by stock. 
It deserves favorable consideration by farmers and stockmen. 

Woolly Plantain {Plantago gnaplialioides). — There is much difference 
of opinion here as to the value of this plantain. In September its erect 
stems are loaded with seed. A Mitchell County stockman says it is 
always about the earliest spring forage and that cattle then eat it 
readily. It is usually to be found only in winter pastures where cattle 
have been kept for mouths. On the other hand, some regard it as a 
pest, though admitting that stock sometimes eat it. 

Purslane {PortuJaca oleracea) grows in every county in central 
Texas and is known locally as " hog pusley." It prefers fallow ground 
and is to be found in all the fields, but also grows well in pastures, 
especially in sandy soils. It stands dry weather well, and no matter 
how dry the grasses and other weeds may be its fleshy leaves and stems 
are abundantly in evidence. There is no doubt as to its value as a 
forage plant. Hogs will fatten on it and sheep are fond of it. Cattle 
do not appear to care for it particularly except in the droughty autumn 
months, when its succulent herbage is greedily sought for. 

Cotton Purslane {Portulaca pilosa) is another variety of purslane 
that is a native of and grows abundantly throughout this section. It 
is a smaller plant than the other species above mentioned, but has 
about the same value as a forage plant. 

COMMON GRASSES OF LITTLE FORAGE VALUE. 

The following grasses, natives of central Texas, while perhaps less 
valuable than those above described, are worthy of consideration : 
Triple Awn {Aristida arizonica) resembles in some respects the 



29 

well-known needle grass (A. fasciculata). It is an upland rather than 
a valley grass. It is more frequently found in sandy and gravelly land, 
and has economic value both as a pasture and hay grass. It is not 
very common in this section, but becomes abundant farther west. 

Grove's Foot {Chloris cucuUata) is a showy grass known locally as 
"crow's foot" on account of the shape and general appearance of its 
seed head. Although it produces a fair quantity of leafage and soft 
stems, it is not considered to have any value for either pasture or hay. 

Feather Crow-Foot {Chloris alba) was noted iu only one locality 
in Kolau County. The specimens secured were about 32 inches high, 
with an abundance of soft leaves and small seeds. It is a very orna- 
mental grass, but is not worth much for forage purposes, as it is not 
eaten by cattle as long as better grasses are available. 

Love Grass {Uragrostis pilosa). — This is not a common grass in this 
section and is not regarded as possessing much value. 

Stirik G-rass or Candy Grass {Eragrostis major) is well known 
throughout this section. With its feathery looking ornamental "seed 
head" and abundance of leaves, it would produce a large amount of 
light hay, which, however, is not considered very x)alatable because of 
its somewhat offensive odor. 

Love Grass [Eragrostis scoundijiora.) — This resembles the Candy 
grass, but is less frequent iu this section. It grows in saline and 
strong alkali soils, and has little forage value. 

Muhlenbergia arenicola is found in many diftfereut situations in 
this section, in the valleys, on the foothills, in rich soils, and among 
rocks. It resembles needle grass {Aristida fasciculata) both in aj)pear- 
ance and habit 5 and while not well known here it is considered a val- 
uable early pasture grass. Stockmen state that it greens out very early 
in the spring, withstands summer droughts, and is relished by stock. It 
seems to prefer the higher and drier uplands. 

Old Witch Grass or Tickle Grass {Panicum capillare) is very 
abundant in this section. It prefers sandy soils and cultivated fields. 
It is a very showy grass, and stock will eat it when it is young, but it is 
not nutritious, and is therefore not very valuable. 

Hairy-flo"wered Panic {Panicum ciliatissimum) is not properly 
appreciated by stockmen in this section. It will not produce a great 
abundance of hay, but the hay is rich and soft, and stock eat it with 
evident relish. It weighs light considering its bulk, but will do well 
to mix with other hay grasses. A specimen collected in 1897 measured 
42 inches in length. It has the creeping rather than the erect habit, 
and is certainly a fair pasture grass. It is not a very common grass in 
this section. Locally known as carpet grass. 

BroTvn Top {Panicum fuscmn) is a tall hay grass which when young 
is eaten by cattle and horses. It grows chiefly in cultivated fields, and 
is similar in its habits and appearance to the barnyard grasses. It is 
valuable and ought to be cultivated in this section, and may well repay 



30 



all the labor that maybe bestowed on it by developing into a first-class 
hay grass. 

Hall's G-rass {Panicum hallii). — There are several varieties of grasses 
common in central Texas which resemble each other so much that 
only experts are able to distinguish their differences. They all pro- 
duce a great abundance of small seed, one of their marked charac- 
teristics. Hall's grass is one of them. It grows in all the counties of 
this section, is a fair pasture grass, and, while not so tall as some of the 
other varieties mentioned, it will produce a lot of soft and nutritious 
hay. Farmers and stockmen speak of it in favorable terms. 
Sporobolus drummondii was noted only in Taylor County, although 

it occurs elsewhere in central Texas. It 
grows tall, with long, slender leaves, and 
in September had no seed and no appear- 
ance of having had any. The farmer on 
whose place the specimen was collected 
says that stock are fond of it when it is 
young, and he thinks it is perhaps valu- 
able both for hay and pasture purposes. 
Fall Redtop {TriocUa seslerioides) 
grows in moist soils, especiall}" near 
streams, in several counties in central 
Texas. Specimens from a valley in East- 
land County measured 88 inches in height. 
It will furnish a great abundance of seed 
and soft leaves. Its stems are not large 
nor are they harsh even when cured. As 
a hay grass it may be worthy of special 
attention. An acre of good, moist valley 
land seeded down to it ought to furnish 
several tons of hay in a good season. 

Grunaninpil {Allionia incarnata), a 
"four o'clock," is generally regarded as 
only a flower, but as an early summer 
feed, especially for sheep, it has a recog- 
nized value. It will grow again after being eaten down to the roots 
and withstands dry weather — two good qualities. 

TumbleWeed {Amaranthus hlitoidcs) (fig. 10) is not properly appre- 
ciated by stockmen. It grows extensively in all the counties of this 
section, and will readily be recognized by its name as above. When 
matured it either breaks from its roots or is blown out of the ground by 
the winds. Gathering itself into a ball it goes tumbling over the 
ground until stopped by wire fences or other obstructions. Hundreds of 
these plants may frequently be seen on the broad open prairies of Texas 
like balls 2 to 4 or even 5 leet in diameter, rolling before the wind like 
an army of living beings. When young it is greedily eaten by cattle 
and sheep, and furnishes a nutritious food. A farmer who has had some 




Fig. 10— Tumble Weed. 



31 



experience in the matter of silos suggests that the tumble weed, if cut 
while young and converted into silage with other forage plants, would 
add much to the quantity and something to the quality of the product. 

Water Purslane {Ammannia coccinea) is not a common plant in this 
section, but is to be found in wet places throughout central Texas. It 
has a harsh stem, few leaves (in September), but a great many seeds, that 
cling tenaciously to the stem. A Jones County farmer and stockman 
reports that stock eats it in the spring. The plant is worthy of being 
investigated. 

White Sage, Sage Brush 'Artemisia mexicana) grows in all the 
counties of this section. Opinions differ as to whether or not any kinds 
of stock eat it, but the most observant stockmen and farmers are satis- 
fied that they do, at least in 
winter. It is quite probable 
that this and other closely re- 
lated sage bushes supply some 
feed on the winter ranges. 

Ground Plum {Astragalus 
crassicarpus) (fig. 11). — Sev- 
eral varieties of this and 
closely related plants grow 
abundantly in central Texas. 
Tliey have bean-like, purjjle 
and white flowers, and pods 
containing many seeds which 
rattle in them when ripe. 
Before ripening, the green and 
succulent x>ods are eaten by 
cattle and horses, which im- 
prove in flesh from the time these plants begin to appear. They grow 
abundantly in Eastland and Shackelford counties, and wherever they 
occur add much to the value of the forage on the ranges. 

Fox Sedge {Garex vul/pinoidea). — This is rather a common growth 
in most of the counties of this section of Texas. It grows to be 2 to 3 
feet high, and bears an abundance of wide leaves. Cattle relish it and 
sheep raisers say that sheep are fond of it when it first greens out in 
early spring. 

Star Thistle {Centaurea americana). — There is much difference of 
opinion in regard to the value of this plant. Some of those who ought 
to know, insist that it is not worthy of consideration, while others claim 
with equal earnestness that it is one of the most valuable early forage 
plants of this section. A Callahan County farmer says that in the 
early spring of this year (1897) he was becoming apprehensive that his 
home bunch of cattle would suffer for feed before the grasses and 
weeds on which he usually relied for their early spring sustenance 
would appear. His milch cows, which were then being given the 
range of his fallow land as well as of a small pasture, instead of becom- 




FlG. 11.— Ground Plum. 



32 

ing thin improved iu flesh and the milk flow considerably increased. 
They came to the pens at night with their stomachs distended, and 
chewed the cud as contentedly as if they had been grazing in a first- 
class pasture. Investigating the matter, the fields and pastures were 
found to be covered with a weed from 3 to 6 inches tall, in appearance 
like a young tobacco plant, apparently this star thistle. The cows 
were eating of it greedily. Later it put up many stems from each root 
that grew to be from 2 to 3 feet tall. The flower was yellow and white 
and the seed head, when ripe, at a distance resembled that of the wild 
sunflower. Matured specimens of star thistle were found in great 
abundance iu Callahan, Shackelford, Eastland, Taylor, Jones, and 
Nolan counties and were identified by various farmers as this forage 
plant. A farmer who resides in Burnet County saw it growing in 
Callahan County and says that the farmers of his neighborhood esteem 
it very highly as an early forage, especially for milch cows. 

Lamb's Quarters {Chenopodnim album). — A common weed through- 
out this part of Texas. When young it is used by housewives as a 
salad, but farmers here regard it as a valuable forage plant for cattle. 
It grows in pasture lands as well as in cultivated fields, appearing in 
early spring. 

Grandpa's "Beard {Clematis drummondii). — This vine has some value 
for forage purposes, as cattle often eat the leaves. Its fruits are very 
showy and give to the plant its common name, as above. 

Wild Sages {Croton spp.) grow abundantly in this section, and if 
valuable for forage jjurposes the fact should be definitely determined 
and made known. Some farmers here say that cattle and sheep both 
eat them. On the other hand there are those who regard them as 
poisonous. It is possible that these sages have been confounded with 
other aromatic perennials which have much the same appearance and 
odor but which are known to be harmless. 

Red Root Sedge {Gyperus erythrorhizos). — A species of sedge that 
occurs in many parts of this section and is believed to be a good forage 
plant. It grows 2 or 3 feet high, has a strong root, stools out like 
wheat, and forms large bunches of leafy stems which stock of all kinds 
eat. If cut before it becomes too old it will produce a large amount of 
nutritious hay. It grows only in wet or marshy meadows. 

Hog Nut, Chufa {Gyperus esculcntus). — A sedge that appears in 
early spring in low places. It produces tubers similar to those of the 
blue weed, thougli in much larger quantities. Hogs are fond of these 
and will root up the ground in their search for them. In some sections 
of Texas it is cultivated especially for hogs, and the tubers are said to 
contain large amounts of starch, oil, and sugar. As it withstands dry 
weather well it is recommended for cultivation in sections subject to 
periodical droughts, with the caution that it may, like Johnson grass, 
be difficult to eradicate when once established. 

Ephedra nevadensis belongs to the same general group as the 



33 



piues, firs, and spruces. It grows throughout this entire section, but is 
not very common. It is generally found on the high lands and, as a 
rule, on rocky or gravelly soil. It has a bushy growth, its forage beiug 
an abundance of slender stems, branching out from the main stem. It 
is known to possess extraordinary qualities, being an excellent blood 
purifier. Among the Mexicans and " old timers" of this part of Texas 
it is used to make a tea that is said to be palatable and is known to be 
healthful. Cattle eat it greedily, so that it may be considered valuable 
as a forage plant. 

Alfilaria {Erodium cicutarium) (fig. 12). — A former hay contractor 
at Old Fort G-riffin states that he is thoroughly familiar with this 
plant and that to his certain 
knowledge it grows quite 
abundantly in certain sections 
of central Texas. Other stock- 
men who are familiar with the 
range in New Mexico and Ari- 
zona also state that they have 
met witli tliis j)lant in this part 
of Texas. The probabilities are 
thsitth\si>hiiit or Urodi urn mos- 
chattim or both, may be found. 
If so, stockmen will have good 
reason to be gratified, as " fila- 
ree" is known to produce excel- 
lent forage, relished by stock. 

Winter Fat {Eurotia lana- 
ta) is not very common in 
this section, but is found on 
the prairies in the northern 
and western counties of Texas. 
It is a fine winter forage 
plant and thrives in soils 
strongly impregnated with al- 
kali. Both cattle and sheep 
eat it and do well on it. 

Rosin Weed or Gum Weed {Grindelia squarrma) is worthy of 
notice, because its stems, leaves, and flowers exude a gum that is very 
sticky. Stockmen regard it as very much of a nuisance, because the 
manes and tails of horses, the wool of sheep, and the heads and tails of 
cattle frequently become gummed up with it, to the no small discomfort 
of these animals. 

Dwarf Broom Weed ( Gutierrezia sarothrw mierocephala). — A well- 
known plant, recognized as having fair forage properties, since stock 
eat it to some extent. 

Sunflower {Helianthns annuus) is said to be an introduced weed 
1588G— No. 10 3 




Fig. 12.— Alfilaria. 



34 

here, but liowever that may be, it is now very common. It is not only 
very abundant liere, but each year appears to be increasing-. It is 
regarded as very much of a nuisance, notwithstanding the fact that 
both its leaves and seed heads make a forage that is eaten and relished 
by cattle, horses, and sheep. The seeds are especially rich in oil and 
very nutritious. It does not suffer, no matter how dry the seasons are, 
which fact suggests that in this section the sunflower, now much 
despised, may be made to cut a rather important figure in the matter 
of supplying forage for stock. An improved variety, having heads 
measuring from 6 to 12 inches in diameter, is being cultivated, the seed 
being fed to fowls and the fodder to cattle. 

Artichoke [Helicmthus tuberosus) is well known in many parts of Texas 
and grows wild on the banks of a small creek in Eastland County. 
It bears underground edible tubers that make good hog feed, and both 
cattle and horses will eat the foliage. It should be cultivated here. 

Blue Weed {Hoffmanseggia stricta), the "Camote del Raton'' of the 
Mexicans. Within the past two or three years it has appeared in this 
part of Texas, and is already regarded by the farmers as a pest. Hav- 
ing been informed that no cultivated crops would thrive where it grew, 
an investigation demonstrated the incorrectness of this popular belief. 
It grows in soils strongly impregnated with alkali, where such crops 
as wheat, oats, corn, and garden vegetables and vines will not thrive. 
This fact explains why they and the blue weed are rarely found grow- 
ing together. A specimen was sent to the Department of Agriculture 
for examiuation by the Botanist, who says of it "I have received com- 
Ijlaints of this plant, as a weed, from Anson, Jones County, and Mur- 
ray, Young County, Tex. In both instances it is stated that the 
tubers are eaten by hogs and the foliage by cattle in dry weather. I 
do not know of any method of exterminating it other than by cultiva- 
tion and thick seeding with crops that will choke it out. It is proba- 
ble that grazing with sheep during dry weather would check the 
growth somewhat, but I do not think that it could be entirely exter- 
minated by this means." It forms long creeping roots bearing fleshy 
tubers. From these tubers the roots branch out indefinitelj-. In the 
digging of a well near Escota, Fisher County, roots of blue weed with 
the tubers were found growing thirteen feet beloM' the surface. As the 
blue weed Avill produce an abundance of forage and both the foliage and 
the tubers are eaten by stock it may be worth exjierimenting with in 
alkali soils. The tubers, however, are produced at su(;h depths that it 
would be ditticult to harvest them. 

Wild Verbena [Lipina noiUftora). — A farmer and stockman of Jones 
County, who has about an acre of ground thickly covered with this 
plant, regards it quite as valuable for forage as au acre of alfalfa. He 
insists that it is a clover, and that it is identical with the prairie clover 
that is found growing a little farther west: bnt in this of course he 
is mistaken. The seed heads of the two are somewhat similar in 



35 



appearance, but this is about as far as the resemblance goes. This 
■wild verbena produces an abundance of forage, that is eaten and relished 
by both cattle and sheep. It deserves to be tested thoroughly to deter- 
mine its qualities. 

Bur Clover or California. Clo-ver{2Iedic((goniaculata). — Well known 
on the Paciflc coast, and found growing in the vicinity of Colorado, in 
Mitchell County. It is supi)osed the seeds were brought originally into 
this section in the wool of sheep shipped in from California. How- 
ever, it may have come from the Gulf States, where it is common. It 
is not here in quantities suf- 
ficient to make it worthy of 
much consideration at present. 

Prickly Pear ( Opuntia engel- 
manni) (fig. 13). — In many coun- 
ties in central and southwest 
Texas this well-known plant 
grows in great abundance, often 
from 6 to 10 and 12 feet high. 
A few years ago stockmen there 
began to utilize it for feeding- 
purposes. They gathered the 
so-called "leaves," singed off the 
spines with fire, and fed them 
with cottonseed cake to their 
cattle. The leaves and fruit are 
often fed to sheep. In this sec- 
tion of Texas this plant does not 
grow nearly so tall as farther 
south, nor is it nearly so com- 
mon here as there. Still it is 
here in considerable quantities, 
and must be considered in con- 
nection with other forage plants 
native to this section. Herders 
who have used this plant on the dry plains of west Texas state that sheep 
fed on it do not require any other food or water, as the succulent stems 
contain a large amount of water and enough starch and gum to sustain 
life. It is often asserted that cattle and sheep, fed on the jirickly pear 
with cotton-seed meal and hay, go into the markets as fat as those fed 
on grain and hay. If the prickly x)ear be fed alone it causes laxity, and 
when fed to working stock, a tendency to bloat. That it is one of 
the most valuable forage plants of Texas admits of no question. 

Soxxel [OxaUs corniculata). — A well-known little plant, common to 
this section, called locally sheep sorrel or sour grass. It has a slightly 
sour taste and is supposed to possess tonic properties. Both cattle 
and sheep eat it. 




Fig. 13.— Prickly Pear. 



36 



Prairie Clover [Euhnistera). — Stockmen here report that tbis species 
of clover, common throughout the prairie region, is to be found in many- 
parts of central Texas. It contributes a considerable amount of good 
forage on the ranges and is much relished by stock. 

Mesquite Bean [Prosojns juliflora) (fig. 14). — There are two well- 
known varieties of the small tree that produces this bean. Tn many of 
the counties of southwest Texas and along the Eio Grande the one 
bearing the screw bean or tornillo {Frosopis puhescens) is very common. 
The i)ods or beans are not only eaten by all classes of stock, but the 
Mexicans and Indians are known to use them as a food. The pods are 

spirally twisted, while those 
grown on the other variety are 
straight or curved. There are 
really two forms of this latter 
variety. In one the bark of the 
tree is much rougher than in the 
other, and the bean is bright j&\- 
low when ripe and much sweeter 
to the taste, the color of the other 
beingreddish rather than j'ellow. 
"A thorny, leguminous shrub, 
growing in favored localities to 
a tree from 20 to 10 feet high, 
with a trunk sometimes reaching 
2i feet in diameter. It is widely 
distributed from Texas to south- 
ern California, through tropical 
America to Argentina. The 
leaves are very good browsing 
for horses and cattle. It bears 
two or more crops of beans a 
year, which are next to barley for 
fattening horses, cattle, sheep, 
and hogs. The leaves, pods, and 
bark are rich in tannin, and a 
gum similar to gum arable exudes copiously from the trunk and 
branches. The wood is hard, strong, and durable, and takes a high 
polish. It is the most common tree of the mesas of the Southwest, and 
because of its many uses is an exceedingly valuable species." Experi- 
nunits in a small way have been made here to preserve the beans for 
winter feeding witli i)artial success only, because of a small weevil, 
tliat bores into them after they are gathered and renders them unfit for 
stock feed. One acre of land well covered with mesquite trees often 
l)roduces not less than 100 bushels of the beans ])er annum. As, 
bushel for bushel, they are quite as A'aluable for feeding stock as cow- 
peas, it will be seen that for forage purposes the mesquite tree is an 
important factor in this section, where there are millions of them. 




Fig. 14.— Mesquite Bean. 



INDEX. 



Page. 

Actinella linearifolia 20 

Af/ropi/ron spicatuhi 11 

Alfilaria 33 

Alkali saccatone 17 

Allionla incarnata 30 

Amamnthusblitoidi'g 30 

Atiilliolepis setigera 21 

Ammnnnia coccinea 31 

Andropvgon nutans 12 

sacchavoides torreyanus 11 

Arctic grass 13 

AristidaarizoDica 28 

A nstida fascieulata 23. 28 

Arizonr millet 13 

Artemisia ludoviciana 27 

ni exicana 31 

Articlioke 34 

Astragalus crassiearpus 31 

Atriptex canescens 22 

obovatum 21 

palineri 22 

Baruyard grass 17 

Beardless barnyard grass 18 

Beggar weed . . '. 22 

Bermuda 13 

Black grama , 12, 16 

Blue grama 12 

■weed 34 

Bogrusb 25 

Hotiteloua curtipendxda 12 

hirsuta 12 

oligostaehya 12 

Bromus unioloides 13 

Browntop 29 

Buffalo grass 24 

Bulbilisdacti/loides 13, 24 

Bur clover . .' 35 

grass 25 

Busby blue-stem 12 

knot weed 28 

Butterfly pea 27 

California clover 35 

Candy grass 29 

Careless weed 21 

Carex 25 

vulpinoides 31 

Cenchrus tribuloides 25 

Centaurea americana 31 

Chcetochloa italica 25 

macrostachya 13 

Chaparral millet 18 

Chenopodiinn albit m 32 

C'hloris alba 29 

cucidlata 29 

Chufa 32 

Clematis drummondii 32 

pianieularia 22 

Clitoria mariana 27 

Colorado grass 18 

Conclu) grass 18 

Cotton purslane 28 

top 18 

Crab grass 26, 29 

Crotou 32 

Crowfoot 29 

Curley mes()uite 15 

Cynodon dactylon 13 

Cyperus .' , . . , 25 



i I 



Paga 

Cyperus erythrorhizos 32 

esciilentits 32 

Dogtown grass 23 

Drop seed 19 

Dwarf broom weed 33 

Elymus canadensis 14 

Ejihedra nevadensis 32 

Eragrostis major 29 

pilosa 29 

secxtndiflora 29 

Eriochlua piinctata 14 

Erodiit m cicuta riurn, 33 

iiioscntinn 33 

Eiirotia lanafa 33 

Everlasting grass 14 

Fall redtop 311 

Fall tallow weed 21 

Featbcr blue stem 11 

crowfoot 20 

sedge 11 

Fox sedge 31 

Galleta 16 

Grandpa's beard 32 

Grapevine mesquite 26 

Grindelia sriuarrosa 33 

Ground plum 31 

Gum weed 33 

Gnnaninipil 30 

Gutierrezia sarothroe microcephala 

Hall's ^rass 29 

Hairy-flowered panic 29 

Helianthus annvus 33 

titberasi's 34 

Hila ria cenchroides 15 

mvtica 10 

Hoffmanseggia stricta 34 

Hog nut 32 

Hurrah grass 18 

Jttncus 25 

Knot grass ... ■ 26 

Kuhnistera .- 35 

Lamb's quarter 32 

Leptochloa diibia 19 

Lippia nodiiiora 34 

Love grass 29 

Medicago maculata 35 

Mesquite bean 36 

Muhlenbergia arenicola 29 

racemosa 16 

ten uiflora 25 

Keedle grass 23 

Old witch grass 29 

Opuntia cngelmanni 35 

Oxalis corniculata 35 

Panicum bulbosum 17 

capillare 29 

ciliatissimum 29 

crus-galli 17 

inuticum 18 

fuscum 29 

'hallii 29 

lachnanthuni 18 

obtusion 26 

reticiilatum 18 

reverchoni 18 

sangidnale 26 

texanvm 18 

virgatuin 19 

87 



38 



INDEX. 



Page. 

Paspalum cKstichum 26 

pubijloruin glahruin 19 

Phaseolus helvolus 22 

Plan tago gnaphalioides 28 

Polygonum ramosissinium 28 

Portulaca oleracea 28 

pilosa <..,. 28 

Prairie clover 36 

oage brush 27 

Prickly pear 35 

Proso'pisjulijlora 36 

Purslane . . .". 28 

Kedroot sedge 32 

Rescue grass 13 

Kosin weed 33 

Sage brush - 31 

Satin grass 25 

Sedges 25 

Side-oats grama 12 

Sorrel 35 

Sporobolus cryptandrus 19 

drummondii 30 

Star thistle 31 

Stink grass 29 

Stollev vetch 20 



I'age. 

Sunflower 33 

Switch grass 19 

Tallow weed 20 

Texas crowfoot 19 

Tickle grass 29 

Triodia albescens 16 

seslerioides 30 

Triple awn 28 

Tumble weed 30 

Tin tola latifolia 27 

Yicia leaven ivortldi 20 

Water grass 19 

purslane 31 

TVestern wheat grass H 

^Yhite sage 31 

top 16 

Vildbean 22 

millet 25 

oats 27 

rye 1-t 

sedges 32 

timothy 16 

verbena 34 

Winter fat 33 

Woolly plantain 28 



o 



I L ^fl _ 'nn 



^^ 






